Top 10 events if you're trying to avoid Taylor Swift this weekend

Florida alt-rockers Sister Hazel headline Taps Tastes and Tunes on Friday night. Pictured: Ryan Newell, left, and Jett Beres, right of Sister Hazel.
Florida alt-rockers Sister Hazel headline Taps Tastes and Tunes on Friday night. Pictured: Ryan Newell, left, and Jett Beres, right of Sister Hazel.
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First off, it's the weekend before the Fourth of July holiday, so some of the festivals around town will light the fuse early this weekend (find that full list at Cincinnati.com). And then there's the massive influx heading to Paycor Stadium for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour with shows on Friday and Saturday.

If you'd like to avoid all that Swiftie mania, we have 10 options for you around town. (If you're anywhere near Downtown, plan to struggle with traffic and parking and all those sorts of things.)

We've got a festival featuring national music acts, and one that showcases some of the best local bands in town. There are also lots of artsy happenings going on, and antique hunters are sure to find something cool at Indiana's largest vintage-only market.

1. Taps, Tastes and Tunes

This summer celebration features fun for the whole family. Enjoy food, drinks, fireworks and free concerts from local and national acts. Entertainment includes Sister Hazel on Friday, Naked Karate Girls on Saturday, and Everclear on Sunday. Fireworks follow the Everclear concert.

Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, Voice of America MetroPark, 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester Township. facebook.com.

Trash-pop band Tweens headline the Northside Rock and Roll Carnival on Saturday night.
Trash-pop band Tweens headline the Northside Rock and Roll Carnival on Saturday night.

2. Northside Rock ‘n Roll Carnival

If you love supporting Cincinnati's local music scene, this three-day festival is a must-attend. You'll find 23 bands, plus food and retail vendors, and beers and seltzers from MadTree. Here's who's playing each day: Friday: Heavy Hinges, Choncy, Annie D, Pretty Mean, Spoils, Soften, Dos Santos, Corker, The Harlequins. Saturday: Ted Tyro, Sammy K, Us Today, Leza, Muwosi, Devin Burgess, Zenizen, Radderall, Rudy de Anda, Chayla Hope, Tweens. Sunday: Faun Fables, Chaya J, The Montvales.

Details: 5 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Hoffner Park, 4101 Hamilton Ave., Northside. Facebook.com/northsiderocks.

Cyndi Lauper's Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots opens June 30 at The Carnegie in Covington. Pictured: Montez O. Jenkins Copeland stars as Lola/Simon.
Cyndi Lauper's Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots opens June 30 at The Carnegie in Covington. Pictured: Montez O. Jenkins Copeland stars as Lola/Simon.

3. 'Kinky Boots'

The winner of six Tony Awards – including Best Musical – and featuring music and lyrics by pop legend Cyndi Lauper, this play follows factory owner Charlie, who is struggling to save his business when he meets Lola, a drag queen with an exciting idea that may save the day. Inspired by a true story, this musical tells the story of a mismatched pair of friends who learn that sometimes the best way to fit in is to stand out. This show is best suited for mature audiences.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Sunday, The Carnegie, 1028 Scott St., Covington. Tickets are $35-$45. Runs June 30-Aug. 19. Thecarnegie.com.

The Tri-State Antique Market in Lawrenceburg is filled with Americana and artifacts from 19th century furnishings to pop culture memorabilia of the 1980s.
The Tri-State Antique Market in Lawrenceburg is filled with Americana and artifacts from 19th century furnishings to pop culture memorabilia of the 1980s.

4. Tri-State Antiques Market

Now in its 38th season, Indiana’s largest monthly antiques and vintage-only market has more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage and retro wares, from 19th-century furnishings to pop culture memorabilia of the 1980s. All merchandise is required to be at least 30 years old and out of production. In honor of Independence Day, the July market will be filled with Americana and artifacts from our nation's history and features a retro photo booth camper with complimentary photos.

Details: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway. $5 admission, free for ages under 18. Free parking. Doors open at 6 a.m. for early birds at no extra charge. Lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.

Art After Dark gives you the opportunity to check out the new exhibition Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds for free at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Pictured: "Cafe in Royan" (1940).
Art After Dark gives you the opportunity to check out the new exhibition Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds for free at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Pictured: "Cafe in Royan" (1940).

5. Art After Dark: Cubist Queens

Celebrate Pride and Picasso with music from DJ Castle, drag performances and the opportunity to explore the museum's new special exhibition Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds. There's also a cash bar and food for purchase from Pata Roja Taqueria, Defined Taste and the Terrace Cafe. Reserve your free timed entry ticket to the exhibition at the door. It's a popular event, so consider using a rideshare service.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

6. AfroArt After Dark Selfie Park

Cincinnati artists create AfroFuturistic exhibits featuring larger-than-life immersive installations by Sweet Sistah Splash featuring Naj Arts & Nubian Woodworking, Paint With Color featuring Quinn Battiste, In Fly We Trust featuring Byron, Romac and Soul Palette featuring Rashad Orlando.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Ziegler Park, 1322 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Eventbrite.com.

Final Friday is your chance to nab original art directly from the artists at Pendleton Art Center.
Final Friday is your chance to nab original art directly from the artists at Pendleton Art Center.

7. Final Friday

On the last Friday of the month, over 250 artists in Pendleton Art Center's four-building complex open their studios to the public to view and purchase works without a middleman. June's artist of the month is Anthony Murrill in studio 313. This month's fundraiser benefits Rosemary’s Babies.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St. Valet parking $10 at the door, free admission. 513-421-4339; pendletonartcenter.com.

8. Art on Vine

Another monthly art show taking place this weekend is Art on Vine, which features fine art and handmade goods from more than 80 regional artists.

Details: noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Court Street Plaza, Court St., Downtown. Free admission. artonvinecincy.com.

9. ArtisanFest513 Independence Day Market

This community market celebrates small businesses and spotlights our local animal shelters. Bring your doggos, as pets are welcome.

Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. eventbrite.com.

Ginkgo trees have survived as a species virtually unchanged for 200 million years, and the patterns on their leaves may help scientists decipher ancient climates. Walk among them, and other prehistoric plants, at the Krohn Conservatory's new summer show First Flowers featuring Dinosaurs.
Ginkgo trees have survived as a species virtually unchanged for 200 million years, and the patterns on their leaves may help scientists decipher ancient climates. Walk among them, and other prehistoric plants, at the Krohn Conservatory's new summer show First Flowers featuring Dinosaurs.

10. First Flowers featuring Dinosaurs

See manmade botanical sculptures of T-Rex, triceratops, pterosaur and more created by Applied Imagination. Walk with the creatures that roamed Earth long ago as you enjoy prehistoric plants like cycads, horsetails and ginkgo trees.

Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs July 1-Oct. 22. $10, $7 ages 5-17, free ages 4-under. cincinnatiparks.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: June 30-July 2